Anna Kramers,  portfolio manager, Consumer Applications at Ericsson, says that as much as 20 percent of carbon emissions can be reduced by applying information and communications technologies (ICT) in such areas as commerce, energy, transport, facilities management and production.

Individuals can also make a considerable impact by adopting a more sustainable lifestyle – aided by multimedia and mobile applications.

Matilda Gustafsson, program manager, Enterprise Applications, says: “Starting with travel habits, you can ask your employer to make virtual meetings the default type of meeting. If you don’t need to turn up at meetings, you can work from home and reduce the need to travel and to have a permanent workspace in the office.”

In terms of carbon emissions, one year of mobile-phone usage is equal to one hour in a car, Kramers says. That comparison illustrates the potential of virtual presence to lower emissions. But for meetings that are difficult to hold over the phone, videoconferencing solutions, such as Business Communication Suite (BSC) can make a huge impact.

When traveling to the office is necessary, mobile phone travel planners could increase efficiency by providing the exact routes, and also calculate CO2 emissions for different trips, she says. Mass transit is one sustainable travel option that is made more attractive by mobile-work applications or entertainment. Carpooling, too, can be promoted via the mobile handset. In some neighborhoods in Stockholm, Sweden, for example, users can book carpool rides via the internet or mobile phone.

Some transit systems offer ticketing via SMS, thereby eliminating the payment mechanism and reducing emissions, Kramers says.

In many markets, services are available online that allow subscribers to do all of their weekly shopping from their desktop. Groceries and provisions are then delivered to their doorstep.

Shoppers can also use their mobile phones to support sustainable suppliers, Kramers says. By photographing a barcode, it is possible for users to obtain information about a single food item, including images of the production chain and details about methods and CO2 emissions.

Mobile phones can also be used as remote controls in the home. “You can turn off the electricity in the whole house or specific lights and also control appliances remotely. Some utility companies offer a service that allows customers to monitor energy and water consumption,” Kramers says.

“In the future, all electronic devices at home will have sensors that communicate with a central database, which can send out information on energy consumption as well as alerts and warnings.”